Ratepayers should not have to fund $150k bronze statue of Barry Humphries | Kathryn Bermingham
Adelaide City Council is facing a budget crisis – so why would councillors even consider spending a fortune on a statue of Barry Humphries, argues Kathryn Bermingham.
Opinion
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The wayward priorities of the Adelaide City Council are again on full display with another bizarre funding consideration: a life-size bronze sculpture of Barry Humphries.
Nothing against Barry, who had a long connection with Adelaide, but the money could surely be better spent.
After revealing a possible rate rise in the order of 7.4 per cent, ratepayers might expect that the council is looking to cut costs wherever possible when deciding how it will allocate money.
That can be a difficult task.
There is no shortage of causes worthy of funding – like the “disgusting” and “unsafe” buildings in the parklands that are in desperate need of upgrades.
With that in mind, it may come as a surprise that council is considering funding for a 1.8m sculpture of the legendary entertainer Humphries, who died last year aged 89.
The piece, which would be developed in partnership with the Adelaide Festival Centre and Trust and Foundation, would be positioned outside Her Majesty’s theatre on Grote St, just near the Metro Hotel.
It would feature Humphries tipping his hat to guests as they enter the theatre, and form part of an illuminated Walk of Fame – similar to the walk between the Festival Theatre and Dunstan Playhouse.
The Foundation would oversee the design and fundraise for the sculpture, which it says would commemorate the longstanding relationship between Humphries and Her Majesty’s.
A report considered by council last month estimated the sculpture would cost $150,000 but, in addition to that, there would be extra expenses for project management, engineering, a heavy base for the sculpture, lighting, footing installation and plaques.
Such a proposal should raise red flags for councillors charged with deciding where the council’s limited resources should go.
Cr Arman Abrahimzadeh called out the issue in a question he asked late last month about what was being done to address the thousands of birds that have descended on Leigh St, leaving outdoor areas filthy.
He rightly pointed out that ratepayer money would be better spent on finding a solution to that problem rather than on the Barry Humphries statue, or on the $7000 it costs to have councillors to chair council committees.
“I’m mindful it’s a difficult issue, but it’s something that needs our attention rather than spending $150k on a statue, or throwing money at committee chairs,” he said.
Council has made no secret of budget pressures. It is looking at cuts to services and savings opportunities, and must find the money to cover a maintenance blackhole and pay for strategic projects.
It is a balancing act – but this one’s a no-brainer.
The money could – and should – be better spent.
If the Festival Centre wants a sculpture of Humphries, they should cover the entire cost.
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